Strong and Weak Acids - Introduction

Acids are classified as either strong or weak, based on how frequently the proton within the
acid is donated in water. A strong acid is an acid which is completely ionized in an
aqueous solution – all acid molecules donate their proton. Hydrogen chloride (HCl) ionizes
completely into hydrogen ions and chloride ions in water.
HCl(g) + H2O(aq) → H3O+(aq) + Cl−(aq)
A weak acid is an acid that ionizes only slightly in an aqueous solution. Acetic acid (found in
vinegar) is a very common weak acid. Its ionization is shown below.
CH3COOH(aq) + H2O(aq) ⇄ H3O+(aq) + CH3COO−(aq)
The ionization of acetic acid is incomplete, and so an equilibrium is established, and the
equation is shown with a double arrow. The extent of ionization of weak acids varies, but is
generally less than 10%. For example, a 0.10 M solution of acetic acid (vinegar) is only about
1.3% ionized, meaning that the equilibrium strongly favours the reactants.
Acids ionize to yield the H3O+ ion and a conjugate base. Because HCl is a strong acid, its
conjugate base (Cl−) is extremely weak. The chloride ion is incapable of accepting the
H+ ion and becoming HCl again. This is why strong acids do not form equilibriums, their
conjugate base is so weak it
does not accept protons to Relative Strengths of Acids and their Conjugate Bases
any measurable degree. In
general, the stronger the acid, Acid Conjugate Base
the weaker its
conjugate base. Likewise, the Strong Acids
weaker the acid, the stronger
HCl (hydrochloric acid) (strongest) Cl  (chloride ion) (weakest)
−

its conjugate base.

Since most acids are weak H SO  (sulfuric acid)
2 4 HSO  (hydrogen sulfate ion)
4
−

acids and establish an

equilibrium with their HNO  (nitric acid)
3 NO  (nitrate ion)
3
−

conjugate base, the

Weak Acids
equilibrium can be described
by an equilibrium constant. In CH COOH (acetic acid)
3 CH COO  (acetate ion)
3
−

the case of Acids and Bases,

the equilibrium constants are H CO  (carbonic acid)
2 3 HCO  (hydrogen carbonate ion)
3
−

called Ka – for describing the

euilibrioum position of a weak HCN (hydrocyanic acid) (weakest) CN  (cyanide ion) (strongest)
−

acids, and Kb – for describing

the equilibrium position of weak bases. The values of the K a and Kb give an exact measure of
how strong or weak and acid/base is. The lower the K a or Kb, the weaker the acid or base.
Because strong acids and bases dissociate readily they react quickly with water. This can
prove dangerous, as these reactions are often exothermic, so the resulting solution can get
very hot very quickly. For this reason it is recommended that when diluting strong acids and
bases to add a small amount of acids (or bases) to water, rather than adding water to the acid
or base.
Because strong acids and bases dissociate readily the resultant solution (assuming it is
reasonably concentrated) will contain a significant number of ions, and therefore conduct an
electric current readily. At the same concentration, a solution of strong acid will always be more
electrically conductive than a weak acid.
QUESTIONS
1. When HCl dissolves in water,
a. the molecule reacts with water
b. an equilibrium forms with water
c. 100% ionization occurs
d. partial ionization occurs
2. When acetic acid dissolves in water,
a. the molecule reacts with water
b. an equilibrium forms with water
c. 100% ionization occurs
d. partial ionization occurs
3. Weak acids ionize to form
a. protons and anions
b. protons and a conjugate base
c. protons and a conjugate acid
d. a conjugate acid and a conjugate base
4. All of the acids below are strong acids except
a. nitric acid
b. hydrochloric acid
c. phosphoric acid
d. sulfuric acid
5. True/False: Some weak acids are found in food and beverages.
6. True/False: A double arrow is used to indicate ionization of strong acids.
7. True/False: Each successive ionization for a polyprotic acid is less likely than the
previous one.
8. Why is it important to know if an acid is strong or weak?